Gateway funds children’s events for July Fun Fest

Published 5:29 am Thursday, May 29, 2003

By Staff
Michigan Gateway Community Foundation, serving south Berrien and Cass counties, has awarded the Dowagiac Downtown Development Authority (DDA) a $1,500 grant.
The grant will fund children's entertainment and educational workshops during July's Dowagiac Fun Fest "Celebrate the Music."
Vickie Phillipson, program director for the Dowagiac DDA and Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce, said Wednesday she is pleased to receive the additional funding that will allow this year's festival to introduce new attractions for children.
The July 24-26 Fun Fest is hosted each year by the Chamber.
Phillipson said this is the first year for the Michigan Gateway Community Foundation, located in Buchanan, to provide grant funding to the festival through its Youth Advisory Council and the Youth Endowments.
The $1,500 children's grant will be used to host: four performances of the Great American Street Organ Jubilee, presented by John Morrissy of Illinois; the three-hour on-site interactive educational workshop by the Curious Kids Museum of St. Joseph; the marionette performance by Steven's Puppets; four on-site interactive educational programs for children on Michigan wildlife by the Sarett Nature Center of Benton Township; two performances by professional mime Debbie Loyd of Dowagiac; and two performances by Charles Apsey of Stevensville, who portrays Jo Hobo the Magical Clown.
Phillipson said children's entertainment is part of more than 40 hours of continuous entertainment that will be featured during Dowagiac's largest summertime festival.
Robert N. Habicht, foundation president and CEO, said Michigan Gateway Community Foundation enthusiastically supports non-profit organizations and programs that make an impact on the quality of life in south Berrien and Cass counties.
Programs that are typically funded by the foundation include those initiatives that support and strengthen families and assist families and youth in finding quality of life in the arts, beautification and recreation.
In 1978, the Buchanan Area Foundation was created by a group of visionary civic leaders. Over the years, the foundation began to provide a way for donors to create permanent gifts to the community to implement their own vision to improve community life.
In 1996, the foundation began a partnership with community leaders in Niles to serve the greater Niles area, requiring a name change to Michigan Gateway Community Foundation.
Cass County joined this successful partnership in 1997.
As final booking of Fun Fest entertainment is wrapped up, Phillipson said her office continues to accept applications for festival booth space from community, commercial and craft vendors that would like to participate in the July 24-26 event.
Booths measuring 10-by-10 feet are available for $20 per day, or all three days for $50. To receive an application, call the Chamber at 269/782-8212.